How to start a garri business in Nigeria

Someone must have told you Garri business is lucrative. Maybe they’re not lying. It is a venture you can start in less time, but with the right knowledge and strategy. 

Garri is one of the common foods in Nigeria; people consume it every day, and its popularity is beyond Nigeria. This tells you that you can export your garri abroad. In fact, exportation in Nigeria now is a huge business on its own. 

Below are how you can start a garri business in Nigeria:

1. You must research

It is not wise to start a business without doing proper research about what it entails. You need information that would help you plan how you want to set up your business. Find out more about those who are already into garri making, how they go about it: from logistics, packaging, marketing, and so on. 

You must have a target audience and figure out what you can do differently that would help sustain your business.

READ ALSO: 5 steps on how to start e-commerce business in Nigeria

2. You need money

You need substantial amounts of money to start this business. You don’t want to start it and lack essential materials that would help with the smooth running and production of this staple. 

You can get a loan, money from friends and family, or your savings. If you want investors, you must be able to enunciate so well, convince them why they should invest in your work and its viability.

3. Your production facility

You need to be strategic at this stage. Your employees should be people grounded in farm produce, like cassava, or just the right workers. 

Get a favourable location for your production facility. A place that would be convenient for your wholesalers and transporters. Modern equipment will fasten your everyday production. You will need machines such as a cassava peeler, garri fryer, and cassava grater. But if you want to do it manually (the local way), know that you will need extra labour.

4. Seek reliable farmers

You need to seek reputable farmers you can rely on for your garri business. This is highly crucial; it would determine the flow of your production, and you know it won’t be encouraging to the customers if you’re not consistent. Patronise dealers who would deliver on time and also establish a good relationship with them. 

5. Packaging and distribution

Your garri must be packaged well. If not, it can affect your sales. Invest in quality materials that consumers would find attractive. Practice thorough cleanliness around your store to help keep the Garri fresh. You can partner with a logistics company to help with customer delivery. Aside from this, you can meet with traders who are interested in buying in bulk.

6. Register your business name

The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) is the body in charge of the regulation and management of businesses in Nigeria. Go to their website to know the step-by-step process of registration. You must do this at the right time so that you won’t have to face any penalty. Note, do you have unique names in mind?

7. Marketing

Digitisation offers so many options. You need to have a website and social media pages where you would keep posting about your products. Your marketing has to be very intense; that is how you can create visibility for your work. Don’t pronounce what you cannot deliver.